Cynthia Wachenheim Suicide Note Reveals Reason; Baby Survives Miraculously, Husband Hal Bacharach Mourns

The recent suicide of Manhattan businesswoman Cynthia Washenheim has left the New York Harlem neighborhood with sadness and disbelief. The mother jumped out of her apartment together with her 8-month-old baby on Wednesday, March 13, 2012. She left a 13 page suicide note to explain her reasons. As earlier reported, the mother died instantly. However, the baby miraculously survived the fall from 8 floors.

Husband Hal Bacharach was not home at the moment of the jump to death. New information was released regarding the suicide note contents. MSN Now reported that Wachenheim was overwhelm with guilt for dropping her baby twice in previous incidents in the home. She felt that she was responsible for causing the baby harm. With a series of seizures and concussions that the baby suffered after those falls, the mother felt that death was the only way to end the pain for her baby and for herself. Guilt and shame along with depression drove the mother to the unfortunate end to her life on Wednesday.

When Mstars News first reported on this incident, it was thought that Wachenheim had committed suicide as a result of her strained relationship with her husband. Their neighbor heard Bacharach yelling at Wachenheim on the day of her death. However, it turns out that it was more of an inner turmoil that she faced as a result of her baby's health condition.

She wrote in her suicidal note to her husband "I love you. I'm making you suffer. You're going to think I'm evil."

Wachenheim had suffered from postpartum depression after giving birth to her child. She has been on maternity leave from her attorney job in the Manhattan State Supreme Court system in order to care for her child.

Postpartum depression affects 20 percent of new mothers according to the New York State Department of Health. Another more serious condition called postpartum psychosis occurs in one or two in a thousand. Those with the severe psychosis may experience suicidal and even homicidal thoughts.

If you suffer from postpartum depression, it is very important to speak to someone that you trust and get help.

If you think you might be at risk, "Do You Have Postpartum Mood Disorder?" at Parenting.com.